Holder for sharps instrument

ABSTRACT

A holder for releasedly retaining a sharps instrument repeatedly used during a medical procedure. The holder has a support component to support the sharps instrument and a guard component to isolate a sharp tip of the instrument and thereby prevent an inadvertent invasive contact to a care provider. Preferably, at least a portion of the support component is generally complimentary in shape to the sharps instrument, and non-limitedly can be chosen from a generally U-shape cradle or a diametrically diminishing hollow tube wherein the instrument is accommodated during retention. Guard component choices non-limitedly include a replaceable non-coreable wall penetrable by a sharp tip and situated to accept a sharp tip when the sharps instrument is stored, or a holder-housing portion disposed distally from and proximate the instrument support component and within which the sharp tip resides when the instrument is stored. It is preferred that the holder can simultaneously accommodate a plurality of sharps instruments such that a care provider can safely and efficiently retrieve and replace instruments as necessary in the administration of treatment utilizing the instruments.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to medical safetydevices, and in particular to a holder for releasedly retaining sharpsinstruments in a safe manner during medical procedures where suchinstruments must be readily available for periodic use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] During certain medical procedures it is necessary to employ avariety of sharps instruments, such as non-limitedly exemplified byneedle-bearing syringes, scalpels, trocars, and other instrumentscharacterized by having a sharp and thus potentially dangerous tip, aplurality of times to thereby deliver chosen medical treatments to apatient. Generally, each such instrument is used a plurality of timesduring a particular procedure, but must be safely stored between usageto prevent an inadvertent invasive contact with a care provider. In thecase of needle-bearing syringes for example, each syringe has aparticular respective agent whose level must be maintained within apatient and thus requires on-going individual injections over a periodof time from each syringe. Between these injections when the syringesare not in use, however, it is extremely important that the needle tipsthereof be safely isolated so that an inadvertent needle stick to a careprovider does not occur. Concurrently, of course, and as with all othersharps instruments being used, these syringes must be readily andconveniently available for immediate retrieval when needed.

[0003] Current-art approaches for providing multi-instrumentavailability primarily merely suggest arranging such instruments on aflat tray. As is obvious in observing such placement, the sharpsinstruments such as syringes can easily become dis-arranged and, equallyimportant, can become directionally oriented in a manner that can resultin invasive contact to a care provider reaching for a sharps instrumentduring treatment of the patient. Applicant's co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/961,348, filed Oct. 30, 1997, and incorporatedherewith in its entirety, teaches an apparatus for retainingneedle-bearing syringes by maintaining needle caps in a structure suchthat respective needles can reengage respective caps for temporarystorage. While this arrangement certainly is desirable and effectivelyaddresses needle isolation, it does require somewhat precise aiming andplacement of the needles as opposed to a more rapid general placement.Likewise, such cap structures may not be available for other sharpsinstruments.

[0004] In view of the above considerations, a primary object of thepresent invention is to provide a sharps instrument holder that bothsupports the sharps instrument body and isolates the sharp tip forefficient safety attainment and maintenance.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sharpsinstrument holder wherein support to the instrument is provided by astructure that is generally complimentarily shaped to at least a portionof the instrument for uncomplicated and fast placement.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide asharps instrument holder wherein a guard component thereof effectivelyisolates the sharp tip, yet wherein the sharps instrument is readilyreleased when engaged by the care provider.

[0007] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a holder for releasedly retaining asharps instrument repeatedly used during a medical procedure. The holdercomprises a support component to support the sharps instrument and aguard component to isolate a sharp tip of the instrument and therebyprevent an inadvertent invasive contact to a care provider. Preferably,at least a portion of the support component is generally complimentaryin shape to the sharps instrument, and non-limitedly can be chosen froma generally U-shape cradle or a cross-sectionally diminishing hollowtube wherein the instrument is accommodated during retention. Guardcomponent choices non-limitedly include a replaceable non-coreable wallpenetrable by a sharp tip and situated to accept a sharp tip when thesharps instrument is stored, or a holder-housing portion disposeddistally from and proximate the instrument support component and withinwhich the sharp tip resides when the instrument is stored. It ispreferred that the holder can simultaneously accommodate a plurality ofsharps instruments such that a care provider can safely and efficientlyretrieve and replace instruments as necessary in the administration oftreatment utilizing the instruments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of aneedle-bearing syringe holder with two syringes therewith;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the holder of FIG. 1additionally showing in phantom a larger syringe;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of aneedle-bearing syringe holder; and

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the holder of FIG. 3additionally showing in phantom a syringe in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a holder 10 for releasedly retainingsharps instruments is illustrated with two needle-bearing syringes 12,14 in place. While the preferred embodiments exemplify needle-bearingsyringes, it is to be understood that these syringes exemplify all othersharps instruments (e.g. scalpels, trocars, etc.) as would berecognizedly associated as sharps instruments by medically skilled caregivers. The holder 10 includes a base 16 from which extends upwardly awall 18 having at its top location 20 U-shape cut-outs 22 generallycomplimentary in shape to the circumferential surface of the syringe 12,14. The holder 10 has a guard component 24 fabricated as a non-coreablewall 26 penetrable by needle tips 28 or any other sharp tips found in asharps instrument. Although not by way of limitation, a preferrednon-coreable material candidate is poly-isoprine. This wall 26 issituated to accept needle tips 28 when syringes 12, 14 are in place forretention. The wall 26 is retained within grooves 30, 32, and can beremoved by lateral sliding from the grooves 30, 32 for disposal andsubsequent fresh replacement after a medical procedure utilizing theholder 10 is completed.

[0015]FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a holder 40 forreleasedly retaining sharps instruments. In particular, the holder 40has a plurality (here four) of hollow cylinders 42 each diminishing instep-wise regression to thereby provide a plurality of discrete crosssections 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44 d. Each cylinder 42 has a proximal opening46 and a distal opening 48, with each cross section 44 a, 44 b, 44 c, 44d generally complimentary in size to accommodate an instrument dimensionsuch as a syringe diameter of an appropriate volume capacity. In theembodiment shown, the diameter of section 44 a is 0.875 inch; that ofsection 44 b is 0.75 inch; that of section 44 c is 0.625 inch; and thatof section 44 d is 0.5 inch. This exemplified sizing permitsaccommodation of syringes having capacities from 5 cc to 20 cc. Theguard component 50 of the holder 40 is a holder-housing portion 52disposed distally from and proximate the distal opening 48 of the hollowcylinders 42. As illustrated, the holder housing 54 includes anangularly formed upper sheet 56, a flat base 58, and a front wall 60.FIG. 4 shows in phantom a syringe 14 in place in the cylinder 42, withits needle tip 28 isolated in the housing portion 52. As is apparent,when a sharps instrument such as a scalpel (not shown) is insertedwithin a cylinder 42, the sharp-tipped blade thereof will isolatedlyreside within the housing portion 52.

[0016] When the holder is employed for needle-bearing syringes, a careprovider first places filled syringes in the holder. As respectivesyringes are needed to administer portions of their respective contentsto a patient, the care provider grasps the appropriate syringes forpatient application. Thereafter, the chosen syringes are returned to theholder for safe and effective retention until once again required forpatient treatment, at which time the syringes are again retrieved foruse. As would be recognized by the skilled artisan, a substantiallyidentical process is employed for other sharps instruments being used.After the medical procedure is completed, the holder is sterilized byconventional techniques for subsequent use with another patient. In thefirst embodiment presented above, the non-coreable wall generally isdiscarded and replaced with a fresh wall as described to therebyeliminate any possibility of untoward survival and transfer of anorganism from patient to patient. The sharps instrument holder of thepresent invention thus provides effective, safe and practical handlingprocedures for the benefit of both health care providers and patientsbeing served.

[0017] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of theinvention have been described in detail herein, it is to be understoodthat the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied andemployed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed toinclude such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holder for releasedly retaining a sharpsinstrument having a sharp tip, the holder comprising a support componentto support the instrument and a guard component to isolate the tip.
 2. Aholder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support component comprises asupport structure with at least a portion thereof generallycomplimentary in shape to the instrument.
 3. A holder as claimed inclaim 2 wherein the support structure is an upwardly extending wallhaving at a top location thereof a cut-out generally complimentary inshape to a portion of a circumferential surface of the instrument.
 4. Aholder as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cut-out is generally U-shaped.5. A holder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the support structurecomprises a hollow cylinder or semi-cylinder having a proximal openingand a distal opening and a distally diminishing cross section leadingfrom the proximal opening and wherein a portion of said cross section isgenerally complimentary in size to an instrument cross section.
 6. Aholder as claimed in claim 5 wherein the cross section of the hollowcylinder or semi-cylinder diminishes in step-wise regression to therebyprovide a plurality of discrete cross sections.
 7. A holder as claimedin claim 6 wherein each discrete cross section is generallycomplimentary in size to an appropriately sized instrument crosssection.
 8. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guard componentcomprises a non-coreable wall penetrable by the sharp tip, said wallsituated to accept a tip when a sharps instrument is releasedlyretained.
 9. A holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein the wall isremovable and replaceable with another substantially identical wall. 10.A holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein the guard component comprises anon-coreable wall penetrable by the sharp tip, said wall disposed toaccept a tip when a sharps instrument is releasedly retained.
 11. Aholder as claimed in claim 5 wherein the guard component is aholder-housing portion disposed distally from and proximate the distalopening of the hollow cylinder or semi-cylinder.
 12. A holder forreleasedly retaining a plurality of sharps instruments each having asharp tip, the holder comprising a support component to support theinstruments and a guard component to isolate the tips.
 13. A holder asclaimed in claim 12 wherein the support component comprises a supportstructure with a plurality of portions each having at least a sectionthereof generally complimentary in shape to a portion of the instrument.14. A holder as claimed in claim 13 wherein the support structure is anupwardly extending wall having at a top location thereof a plurality ofcut-outs each respectively generally complimentary in shape to a portionof the circumferential surfaces of the instruments.
 15. A holder asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the cutouts are generally U-shaped.
 16. Aholder as claimed in claim 13 wherein the support structure comprises aplurality of hollow cylinders or semi-cylinders each having a proximalopening and a distal opening and a distally diminishing cross sectionleading from the proximal opening and wherein a portion of said crosssection is generally complimentary in size to an instrument crosssection.
 17. A holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein the cross sectionof the respective hollow cylinders or semi-cylinders diminishes instep-wise regression to thereby provide a plurality of discrete crosssections.
 18. A holder as claimed in claim 17 wherein each discretecross section is generally complimentary in size to an appropriatelysized instrument cross section.
 19. A holder as claimed in claim 12wherein the guard component comprises a non-coreable wall penetrable bythe sharp tips, said wall disposed to accept a plurality of tips when aplurality of respective sharps instruments are releasedly retained. 20.A holder as claimed in claim 19 wherein the wall is removable andreplaceable with another substantially identical wall.
 21. A holder asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the guard component comprises a non-coreablewall penetrable by the sharp tips, said wall disposed to accept aplurality of tips when a plurality of respective sharps instruments arereleasedly retained.
 22. A holder as claimed in claim 16 wherein theguard component is a holder-housing portion disposed distally from andproximate the distal openings of the hollow cylinders or semi-cylinders.23. A holder for releasedly retaining a plurality of syringes eachbearing a respective needle, the holder comprising a support componentto support the syringes and a needle guard component to isolate theneedles.
 24. A holder as claimed in claim 23 wherein the supportcomponent comprises a support structure with a plurality of portionsthereof generally complimentary in shape to the syringes.
 25. A holderas claimed in claim 24 wherein the support structure is an upwardlyextending wall having at a top location thereof a plurality of cut-outseach respectively generally complimentary in shape to circumferentialsurfaces of the syringes.
 26. A holder as claimed in claim 25 whereinthe cutouts are generally U-shaped.
 27. A holder as claimed in claim 24wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of hollow cylindersor semi-cylinders each having a proximal opening and a distal end and adistally diminishing diameter leading from the proximal opening andwherein a portion of said diameter is generally complimentary in size toa syringe diameter.
 28. A holder as claimed in claim 27 wherein thediameter of the respective hollow cylinders or semi-cylinders diminishesin step-wise regression to thereby provide a plurality of discretediameters.
 29. A holder as claimed in claim 28 wherein each discretediameter is generally complimentary in size to an appropriately sizedsyringe diameter.
 30. A holder as claimed in claim 23 wherein the needleguard component comprises a non-coreable wall penetrable by a needletip, said wall disposed to accept a plurality of needle tips when aplurality of respective syringes each bearing a needle are releasedlyretained.
 31. A holder as claimed in claim 30 wherein the wall isremovable and replaceable with another substantially identical wall. 32.A holder as claimed in claim 25 wherein the needle guard componentcomprises a non-coreable wall penetrable by a needle tip, said walldisposed to accept a plurality of needle tips when a plurality ofrespective syringes each bearing a needle are releasedly retained.
 33. Aholder as claimed in claim 27 wherein the needle guard component is aholder-housing portion disposed distally from and proximate the distalopenings of the hollow cylinders or semi-cylinders.